I am not Jim B

14 minutes ago, Mr. Anderson said:

I know you're not defending him but after seeing the story about Armstrong on the news and reading some of Jim Black's buddies defending him on this board I felt compelled to post. 

Anyone who has been in the steel city selects organization knows that Jim Black is TOXIC.  Most people put up with it because the local alternatives for girls hockey are either PAHL level hockey which is not competitive or you're ALL IN with Pens, provided your daughter is good enough for that organization.  Steel city is the in-between with lots of ice time and good competitive match-ups.  We put up with it for a few years when my daughter was younger but eventually left because of a couple of different coaches, Jim Black and Jason Evans, and the Board lets them get away with it. 

There are countless stories of how Black treats young women who play for him.  His bio on the North Pittsburgh Wildcats site says he treats each girl like his daughter.  That is total BS.  He berates them constantly.  All negative reinforcement.  Although maybe that is how he treats his daughters.  He cares about HIS hockey legacy and making money for Baierl.  And it's no surprise he's political.  How do you think he got to play hockey at a Michigan prep school when he was younger?  His daddy brokered a deal for him to go with a player they were recruiting. 

I recently ran into a current player's parent and they are disturbed that they have witnessed several girls quit on him the last couple of seasons.  I heard even one mother wrote a letter to Midam and the Steel city Board, who chose to ignore, about his demeaning and unprofessional behavior.  He's a walking safesport violation.

I miss going to the rink and watching youth hockey.  I do not miss neanderthals like Jim Black.  If you put him in the Good Guy Camp, you're either a family member, one of his golfing buddies, coaching buddies, on the Board of selects, or have a financial interest in Baierl.  He's a classless bully with a Napoleonic complex.

Perhaps I picked a poor username, I was surprised by Danner’s comments about him.  I agree with 99% of what Danner writes in this board.  I initially was commenting about the Baierl rink security.  I am neither a friend or foe of Jim B.  Thank you for sharing the info.  

I agree with Mitch from Pgh Hockey Digest and several of the others already noted. 
 

I would also put Jeff Tindall at the top of the list, good coach, pretty good referee (LOL) and a great person that cares about the players.   He’s coached at several organizations.   

No one is saying that students can't taunt a goalie.    
 

it seems to me that taunting in any youth sport is wrong, even if it is a goalie.  Maybe acceptable at the college or professional level.    When I saw the security guard remove the student section at the Baierl Ice rink I asked him what they did or said that was so bad.  He responded that fans can cheer for their team but cannot say negative comments and target the opposing players or the refs.   It seemed like a good guideline that all rinks should utilize for youth sports.  

In the past, the security at the Baierl Ice Rink has been the opposite of this situation.   I've seen them remove the entire student section from games for activity that I would consider marginal. 

I also recall a playoff game at RMU ISC where security was not to be found when needed.   PIHL rep (Mucha) was approached and he was defensive of the situation without even going into the rink to observe the situation.  I’m not sure PIHL will be useful/interested in solving this problem.